Chamber and committees

Consideration of the impact on Scots law is a key element of the Scottish Government’s work on the options for Scotland’s future relationship with the EU and the rest of the UK following the EU referendum. The Scottish Government recognises that the potential impact is substantial. We will seek to use whatever influence we have to protect Scotland’s interests and shape the UK position.

The Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations (JMC(EN)) is part of the formal inter-governmental machinery between the four Administrations of the United Kingdom. The Scottish Government represents Scotland’s interests in that forum.

The Scottish Government has committed, in our Written Agreement with the Scottish Parliament, to ensure members have opportunity to scrutinise formal inter-governmental engagement. I alerted the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee in advance of the JMC(EN), which took place on 9 November 2016.

Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy based on a range of recent studies covering different trading relationships that the UK could adopt.

The analysis shows that the potential cost to Scottish GDP of leaving the European Union could be up to £11.2 billion per year by 2030 than under a scenario where the UK remains a member. The analysis also indicates that leaving the EU could result in a reduction in Scottish tax revenues of up to £3.7 billion a year by 2030.

Evidence published by the European and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute forecast that leaving the EU could result in the number of people in employment being up to 80,000 lower after ten years.

The Scottish Government is pursuing all options to retain our relationship with Europe, access to the single market, and all the advantages that brings.

Since the EU referendum result, Ministers have undertaken a number of engagements with EU partners. These engagements are to ensure there is awareness of the vote in Scotland for Remain in the referendum, and to explain that the First Minister has said the government is exploring all options to protect Scotland’s interests and our relationship with, and place in, the European Union.

The Scottish Government is committed to protecting Scotland’s relationship with the EU, including state aid rules, following Scotland’s unequivocal vote to retain the wide range of economic and social benefits membership provides. We are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU and are engaged at ministerial and official level with the UK Government to ensure the best outcome for Scotland following the EU referendum. This will help us to shape policy going forward after Article 50 is triggered and post-Brexit.

The Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe for 2016-17 does not have a specific budget allocated to him. However, the Scottish Government Europe and External Affairs budget supports the promotion of Scotland as well as its interests and identity at home and abroad. Further details on this budget can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/9056/15.

The Scottish Government will table specific proposals in the coming weeks to protect Scotland’s interests and keep us in the Single Market, even if the rest of the UK decides to leave.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04327 on 15 November 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The most recent update on the estimated final cost of the refurbishment of the SFRS control room in Dundee was received in March 2016. This information is contained in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board papers which can be found on the SFRS website at www.firescotland.gov.uk. This included the cost of providing a temporary control facility whilst the refurbishment works are undertaken.

Food and Drink Exports from Scotland were valued at £4.9 billion in 2015, with 40% going to the EU. We are working closely with stakeholders across the food and drink industry, including the industry leadership body, Scotland Food and Drink, to establish the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s trade within the EU and through wider free trade agreement.